Monday, January 23, 2023

Waimere Boulders

After the beaches and an overnight at the Lions' Club freedom camp in Whangarei, we decided it was time for something new and headed toward the Waimere Boulders over toward the west coast and the Hokianga estuary. We overnighted at the Waimere Boulders camp, then did the boulders/bush walk the next morning. It was the beginning of a big five-event/scene day. And the best of it too.

The Waimere Boulders are a private natural reserve, featuring a set of enormous basalt boulders cascading down the mountainside, but, most unusually for basalt, fluted by aeons of acid drip from the ancient Kauri forests that surrounded them. (Acid drip, not trip). Normally we'd not be enticed by a private reserve, but the reviews were enthusiastic, and we never pass on an opportunity to see fluted basalt. We concur with the enthusiasm: an excellent, educational, and entertaining visit. Plus you have to do bush walks in New Zealand.

The walk has three variations, of which we did the easiest--with
fluted boulders, ample interpretive signage, and some NZ whimsy

Some of the boulders and the creek that flows through them


Ample plant identification, in Maori and in English too


Some baby Kauris...the giant trees of the North Island,
more about which anon

Some fluting
Nice tidy trail punctuated by catwalks and stairs up and down and
around the boulders



More flute-like erosion


Vicki exploring

Some of the whimsical bits

Excellent signage

More fluting



Fairy houses...to entertain the little explorers

In New Zealand, in order to survive, trees sometimes have to be 
very flexible

Executive summary of the science





More whimsy...a horse's head


Fairy apartment building

Basalt tower atop the mountain from which it has 
all cascaded


2 comments:

Tawana said...

The fairy houses just make it perfect!

Rebecca said...

Penelope would love those fairy houses! Will have to go next time we are in NZ.